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“Outdoor speaker companies have really tweaked and perfected the technology and the products,” says Scott Trusty, a residential audio/video consultant and installer based in Stamford, Connecticut. “The quality’s gotten a lot better, and the components last forever.” The key to any system’s longevity is speakers that can take a beating from Mother Nature. There are two basic types of all-weather speakers: simple bookshelf-type models wrapped in protective casings, and stealth speakers that masquerade as garden rocks, flowerpots, even benches....

Next time a customer asks about putting a half bath in the basement and then questions you about why it’s so expensive, send them a link to this short video. It’ll help them understand the whole process. To get the waste out from below the sewer line, you need a macerator installed behind the toilet to chew up the waste and pump it up to the house’s drain. To make that work, you also need an electrical outlet close by to power the macerator....

She also wanted to mask a door with a seamless pattern. Along the way, she created a snazzy, elegant introduction to the rest of the house. While the look is impressive, painting horizontal stripes doesn’t have to be complicated. To get the look, coat the entire wall in Emerald® Interior Acrylic Latex Paint in Alabaster SW 7008 by Sherwin-Williams. Next, divide the wall into 9-inch stripes. Robinson says, “I included the baseboards and crown molding in my measurements so they’d blend in with the wall....

So before you hire a pro or begin to tackle the job yourself, read our spend-smart tips—from easy upgrades to a total gut renovation—and get the kitchen you covet that fits within your budget. Spend-Smart Strategies for Your Kitchen Makeover Paint and Save on Cabinets New cabinetry can account for between 30% and 40% of your kitchen remodel costs. So if you’re happy with their location and functionality, but the finish is dark or dull, consider painting them instead of replacing them....

On this episode: On the morning of November 8, 2018, the 27,000 residents of Paradise, California woke to an orange glow in the Eastern sky, but it wasn’t the sun. The worst wildfire in a state known for wildfires was heading West. Kevin hears the stories of threes families who narrowly escaped Paradise and speaks with fire engineer Calin Moldovan who helped to lead people to safety. It was devastation that is hard to comprehend....

In this episode: Tom Silva, Kevin O’Connor, and Richard Trethewey drive to the Seaside Victorian Cottage in Rhode Island and reminisce about the many problems faced in the rebuilding of our abandoned house. Jeff Sweenor is waiting for them outside the house and they talk about the challenges of the project. Tom and Richard excuse themselves while Kevin and Jeff tour the front yard. Kristen Martone, the interior designer for the project, gives Tom a tour of the second floor to see the master bedroom, closet, and bathroom....

In this episode: Work is underway inside the 1864 Saratoga Springs home. The homeowners put in sweat equity and begin to demo but stop when they encounter funky framing. Tom Silva explains the framing issues and lends a hand with the demo. Unlike the front of the home, which is in pretty good shape, out back is a different story. Kevin O’Connor meets with architect Matt Hurff to discuss his plans to solve the problem of the hodgepodge of additions built over the seven generations....

It’s tight, no question—hence the moniker “corridor kitchen”—but the bigger challenge is that the simple setup tends to be short on countertops and cabinets. This makes smart organization essential. Cookware, dishware, foodstuffs, and supplies must be conveniently stowed and easily accessed, and scant workstations kept clutter-free, for a galley kitchen to work well. 10 Big Ideas for Small Kitchens Galley Kitchen Design Ideas Here are some best practices to get and stay organized—as well as clever ways to give a more spacious impression—to guarantee smooth sailing in a galley kitchen....

Best Luxury Set: Brooklinen Sheet Set If you’re willing to invest in high-quality sheets, this is the set for you. The sheets are made from breathable, soft, and eco-friendly long-staple cotton that has a smooth weave and a slightly luminous finish. Key Features Made from cotton Has 480 thread count Comes in numerous colors, patterns, and sizes What Customers Are Saying Customers who left positive reviews for these bed sheets liked that they were soft, lightweight, and wrinkle-resistant....

Top 5 Clothes Steamers Best Heavy-Duty Steamer: Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer Best Heads: BLACK+DECKER Advanced Handheld Garment/Fabric Steamer Best Multipurpose Attachment: Conair Turbo Extreme Steam Handheld Fabric Steamer Best Hanger: PurSteam Garment Steamer Best For Travel: Jiffy ESTEAM Personal Handheld Steamer Best Heavy-Duty Steamer: Jiffy J-2000 Garment Steamer With a large 0.75-gallon water tank, this steamer can provide up to 90 minutes of steam. It comes with a stand that can be used to mount the head when it’s not in use or to hold the article of clothing you’re steaming....

Top 5 Extension Ladders Best Multi-Purpose: Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder Most Portable: WolfWise Aluminum Telescopic Ladder Most Customizable: Xtend & Climb Telescoping Ladder Simplest Design: Ohuhu Aluminum Telescopic Ladder Best Heavy-Duty: Louisville Ladder FE3228 Extension Ladder Best Multi-Purpose: Little Giant Ladders M22 Multi-Position Ladder This product from Little Giant Ladders isn’t just an extension ladder—you can also use it in A-frame, trestle-and-plank, 90-degree, and staircase positions, making it useful for all of your household projects....

Quietest Operation: Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier Key Features Has a six-liter tank Releases mist for 50 hours Covers 500 square feet Operates below 30 decibels Comes with a two-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Many customers noted that this humidifier made a minimal amount of noise. In addition, reviewers said that it relieved the dry air symptoms that they were experiencing. Unhappy customers criticized this humidifier for leaking water and being difficult to troubleshoot....

Top 5 Bolt Cutters Most Effective: Capri Tools Eight-Inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter Best Design: TEKTON Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter Most User-Friendly: KNIPEX Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter Most Comfortable: ARES Eight-Inch Mini Bolt Cutter Best Value: Great Neck Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter Most Effective: Capri Tools Eight-Inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter This mini bolt cutter from Capri Tools is built with quality steel blades and rubber-gripped handles that can cut through rods, bolts, chains, and wires....

Top 5 Resistance Bands Best Lower-Body Workout: Walito Resistance Bands for Legs and Butt Most Customizable: Bodylastics Resistance Bands Set Most Resistant Loop Bands: SUNPOW Pull-Up Assistance Bands Best For Medium Resistance: TheFitLife Exercise Resistance Bands with Handles Best For Light Workouts: Black Mountain Products Resistance Bands Set Best Lower-Body Workout: Walito Resistance Bands for Legs and Butt These resistance bands have a simplified system of light, medium, and heavy resistance levels that you can identify based on their colors....

Top 5 Tool Chests Best Worktop: Seville Classics 6-Drawer Rolling Cabinet Most Storage Space: Husky Extra Deep 46-Inch 9-Drawer Mobile Workbench Best Value: Keter Rolling Tool Chest Best for Immobilizing Tools: Craftsman CMST82765BK Tool Chest With Drawer Liner Roll Most Versatile: Goplus 6-Drawer Rolling Tool Chest Key Features 28 inches long x 18 inches deep x 34.5 inches tall Loading capacity of 300 pounds Steel body and wood worktop Six drawers and four wheels Front handle Lock and key...

Top 5 Weed Killers Best For Gravel: RM43 43% Glyphosate Plus Weed Preventer Most Customizable: Spectracide Weed & Grass Killer Best For Multiple Weed Types: Roundup All-in-One Weed Killer For Lawns Best For Flower Beds: Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer Best Vinegar Weed Killer: Green Gobbler Weed & Grass Killer Best For Gravel: RM43 43% Glyphosate Plus Weed Preventer This weed killer contains 43% glyphosate. This ingredient kills any plants it comes into contact with, so it works best for weeds on pavement or gravel....